MAIL ONLINE: Two Christian hoteliers went on trial yesterday accused of insulting a Muslim convert by branding Mohammed a 'warlord' and telling her she was living in 'bondage'.
Ben and Sharon Vogelenzang allegedly asked 60-year-old guest Ericka Tazi if she was a terrorist and a murderer after she came down to breakfast wearing an Islamic headscarf.
The white, British-born grandmother, who was staying at the couple's hotel while undergoing medical treatment, told a court the pair had shouted abuse at her, leaving her shocked and traumatised.
However the couple's barrister challenged her account, suggesting she had worn Islamic dress to provoke the Vogelenzangs and that they merely engaged in a legitimate discussion about their faiths.
The couple, who run The Bounty House Hotel in Aintree, Liverpool, both deny the unusual charge of committing a religiously aggravated public order offence, which carries a maximum fine of £5,000.
Christians gathered outside Liverpool magistrates' court to support the couple.
Mrs Tazi, who suffers from the chronic pain condition fibromyalgia, spent a month at the hotel earlier this year while attending a course of therapy at a nearby hospital.
The former Roman Catholic from Warrington, who converted to Islam last year, gave evidence after swearing an oath to Allah and kissing the Koran. >>> | Tuesday, December 08, 2009
